Duck like mallard but larger, is it a domestic / mallard cross, seen at Clumber Park

Mickc

Posted
28-Nov-2017 15:29

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26-May-2017

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Nice clear photos, Chris of Mallards. Despite the unusual colouring they are all Mallard. Mallard often cross bred, which may account for the slightly larger size and colouring but Leucism is also common in Mallard. This is a conditioning which there is a partial loss of pigmentation. It is caused by patches of body surface having a lack of cells capable of making certain pigments. The effect is that the colouring in some birds (and animals) varies from the norm but is different in each. It is not uncommon and I have seen many varieties over the years in both Mallard sexes. The female colouring in some lautistic Mallard is a very pale brown.